Hatoyama says Cabinet appointments should follow coalition talks+

TOKYO, Sept. 6 Kyodo -
Democratic Party of Japan President Yukio Hatoyama said Sunday he will not
decide on the full Cabinet lineup for the incoming administration led by his
party until an agreement is reached on forming a coalition government.
Hatoyama said after a meeting with top aide Hirofumi Hirano, who has been
tapped for the post of chief Cabinet secretary, that further rounds of talks
with the Social Democratic Party and the People's New Party should precede work
toward completing his Cabinet lineup.
''It should not be done before coalition talks are put on the right track,''
Hatoyama said, referring to the timing for naming Cabinet ministers aside from
those who have already been lined up for key posts.
Acting DPJ President Naoto Kan is set to serve concurrently as state strategy
minister and deputy prime minister, and DPJ Secretary General Katsuya Okada as
foreign minister. According to party sources, DPJ Supreme Adviser Hirohisa
Fujii is considered the top candidate for finance minister.
On Sunday, DPJ sources said that the party's policy chief Masayuki Naoshima was
added to a growing list of candidates for Cabinet posts.
Commenting on the ongoing coalition talks, Hatoyama said the DPJ will continue
to pursue ways to handle a request from its potential coalition partners that a
liaison body be established among the parties to ensure smooth government
operations.
''There have been calls for a meeting of the top leaders (of the DPJ, SDP and
PNP) and we will consider such an idea,'' Hatoyama said.
The DPJ requires the cooperation of its two minor allies to maintain control of
the less powerful upper house. It is anticipated that the parties will reach an
agreement next week, before Hatoyama is expected to be installed as new prime
minister on Sept. 16 and announces his Cabinet ministers soon afterward.
==Kyodo